Enbridge cancer ride raises $6.3M for JGH

Two cyclists hug at this year’s Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, benefiting the Jewish General Hospital.

Almost 1,800 riders raised $6.3 million for the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) at last month’s fifth annual Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer between Montreal and Quebec City, the hospital announced.

Money from the province’s largest cycling fundraiser goes to support cancer research, treatment and care programs at the JGH and its partner hospitals across the province.

“We are grateful to this incredible community of riders, crew members, volunteers, and their extended networks of family, friends and supporters who have come together and helped make [the Enbridge Ride] an incredible success,” said Myer Bick, president and CEO of the JGH Foundation.

Some “75,500 Canadians will die from cancer this year, while almost 200,000 new cases will be diagnosed in Canada alone,” Bick said.

“This vital $6.3 million raised is already helping deliver a wide range of life-saving cancer research, treatment and care programs here in Montreal and across the province at the Fondation du CHU de Québec, the Fondation régional pour la santé de Trois-Rivières (RSTR), and the Fondation du CSSS de Gatineau,” he added

Over its five-year history, the event has raised more than $32 million. It brings together cancer survivors, cyclists and supporters who train and fundraise to take part in the two-day, 230-km ride.

“Over the last two years, I have been fighting melanoma,” said first-year participant Dr. Sylvain Gagnon of Laval.

“I decided to contribute to the research centre at the Jewish General Hospital where I have been receiving treatment. It has not been easy training throughout my chemotherapy, but hope has provided me with the energy needed to keep on fighting.”

Dr. Gerald Batist, director of the hospital’s Segal Cancer Centre, said proceeds from the event enable the continuation of world-class cancer research initiatives both here and across the province.

“Our researchers are making incredible progress to further develop the technology used for molecular diagnostics, functional imaging and advanced targeted therapies,” he said. “This world-leading work being done here in Montreal is leading to better outcomes for more cancer patients.”

In 2011, the Ride To Conquer Cancer added the name “Enbridge” to it when the energy supplier became the ride’s national title sponsor. Enbridge supports similar rides across the country.

“Enbridge employees and our extended community of friends and family members are thrilled to celebrate this tremendous success,” said Enbridge senior project director Scott Dodd, who captains the company’s ride team.

“We are honoured to support this incredible effort.”

Bick said corporate sponsorships are critical to charitable initiatives because they help pay for event costs.

Ride organizers said the 2014 Enbridge Ride will be held July 5 and 6. Registration is already open at www.conquercancer.ca or by calling 866-996-8356.